Small park planned for Moorpark's Walnut Acres neighborhood

The Moorpark Parks and Recreation Commission this week approved the concept for a small park proposed in the Walnut Acres neighborhood.

The city has 17 parks, but the closest one to the Walnut Acres neighborhood, Poindexter Park, is about a mile away. A parks and recreation master plan identified a deficiency in access to a local park for that neighborhood.

"Ideally, every neighborhood within Moorpark should have convenient access to a local park that serves that particular neighborhood," said Jeremy Laurentowski, the city's parks and landscape manager.

To get land, the city in 2011 purchased a property at 161 Second St. for $520,000, removed an existing home and relocated the tenants for $50,000.

The proposed park, tentatively called Walnut Acres Park, will be a 15,000-square-foot "pocket park" or a mini-park.

The park commission recommended a concept that includes a turf play area and a tot lot play area for children.

The park also would have permanent fencing around the perimeter, drought-tolerant plants, picnic tables, barbecues and park benches. Because of the site's proximity to neighboring homes, there would be no restrooms or structures such as gazebos, to discourage gatherings or parties.

A landscape buffer in front would discourage parking on the street. The idea of a basketball court was scrapped because of the park's proximity to residents.

The park commission's recommendation will go to the City Council for final approval.

Park Commissioner Adam Haverstock said he wanted to see a park with plenty of green space, even though it would require a little more water.

"It's important to have a good portion of green space in this neighborhood," Haverstock said.

Park Commissioner Tom Pflaumer said a resident he spoke with before the meeting was concerned about a lack of lighting.

Laurentowski said that the city would be reviewing the lighting and a security camera at the park with the police department.

The preliminary cost of the park is about $518,561. It would cost about $19,745 to maintain. The funds to build the park would come out of a state tax allocation bond.

Resident Maria Gonzales, walking near the proposed park site with her two children, said she was happy the neighborhood may be getting its own park.

"It's about time. We need a nice and safe place here for our kids to play," she said.